Queensland is taking the lead in going backwards on solar power, with Energy Queensland mandating a new device, a few new acronyms, a new layer of complexity for installers and a new expense for owners of some new solar power systems. [Read more…]
South Australia Proves You Can Go Off-Grid With A Million People
In November 2022, South Australia experienced a ferocious storm that decoupled us from the rest of the electricity grid and felled many local power lines. Functioning as an island, we couldn’t export to the bigger national network, so without that safety valve, SA Power Networks (SAPN) was obliged to pull out all the stops to maintain stability. [Read more…]
New Rules In WA Screw Over Rural Solar, Battery & EV Buyers
Earlier this year in Western Australia, a rule went into effect that all new or altered electricity network connections must have a circuit breaker as the main switch. In some cases, this circuit breaker will trip if you use more than a piddly 20 Amps in your home. [Read more…]
Federal Election ’22: Clean Energy Scorecard, The Good, The Meh, & The Ugly
The federal election is only four weeks away, so I decided to make an in depth study of the environmental policies of all major political parties and rank them from best to worst:
- Greens
- Labor
- Coalition
That didn’t take long. [Read more…]
Russian Invasion Makes IEA Nuclear Predictions Impossible
Last year the International Energy Agency (IEA) published a long report where — among other things — they predicted the rate of new nuclear construction would roughly double. When I first read this, I considered it nearly impossible. But now Russia has invaded Ukraine, I consider it flat out impossible. [Read more…]
Australian Submarines May Go Nuclear But Our Power Stations Never Will
Australia recently decided to buy nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS pact with the UK and United States.
Assuming it goes ahead, the first sub may be ready around 2040. But while our submarines may have nuclear reactors, our power stations never will. [Read more…]
ACT Sustainable Household Scheme: 0% Loans With Batshit Crazy Small Print
The ACT’s Sustainable Household Scheme will soon be in full operation. It makes zero-interest, zero-fee loans available to households for rooftop solar, batteries, electric car chargers and energy efficiency measures such as replacing gas appliances. In the future, it will be available for new and used electric vehicles. [Read more…]
Victoria’s Solar Panel Rebate Scrutinised
Was the Victorian solar panel rebate necessary? SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock suggests it’s had no effect on solar demand in Victoria. [Read more…]
SA Labor’s Hydrogen Hype: A Second Rate Plan For The First Element
South Australian Labor clearly hope their new Hydrogen Plan can help them win back power in the March 2022 state election.
Will their huffing of hydrogen hype lift them higher than a zeppelin, or will it bomb? [Read more…]
Renewables Need More Long Distance Transmission. Low Interest Rates Can Make That Happen.
Long-distance transmission sends electrical energy from where it’s generated to where it’s used. If we had more of it, electricity prices would be lower, and the integration of solar and wind farms would be easier. Thanks to record low-interest rates, more of it is exactly what we’re going to get. [Read more…]
Currently Raging Debates: